Skip to main content

Gray Bird Grasshopper

Schistocerca Nitens

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

34.0997, -118.201

Field Notes

Description:

Schistocerca nitens is a species of grasshopper known by several common names, including vagrant grasshopper and gray bird grasshopper. It is a close relative of the desert locust, which is in the same genus. This grasshopper is native to southern North America including Mexico and the southwestern United States from California to Texas. It is also present in parts of Central America. It lives in many habitats including desert, woodland, and lower elevation mountainous areas. It is a large grasshopper, reaching lengths between 4 and 7 centimeters. It is mostly brown and gray spotted or patched in cryptic coloration.

Habitat:

Varied, but most often found among rank tall herbage, trees, or shrubbery. Not as tied to damp environments as some related species.

Southwest, from Texas to California and north into Nevada. SW Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. South into South America.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Whoops, that was supposed to end with a ?
How did this end up in the Coloptera mission!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon